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San Bruno pipeline explosion: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 37°37′21″N 122°26′31″W / 37.622524°N 122.441903°W / 37.622524; -122.441903
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m Media coverage: Repairing broken Wall Street Journal links using AWB
Rescuing 12 sources and tagging 0 as dead. #IABot (v1.5) (GreenC)
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| place = [[San Bruno, California|San Bruno]], California<br>United States
| place = [[San Bruno, California|San Bruno]], California<br>United States
|coordinates = {{coord|37.622524|-122.441903|region:US-CA_type:event|display=title,inline}}
|coordinates = {{coord|37.622524|-122.441903|region:US-CA_type:event|display=title,inline}}
| casualties1 = '''Fatalities:''' 8<ref name="8th_victim_of_PGE_blast_dies">{{Cite news |title=Eighth victim of PG&E blast dies |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/28/BAIQ1FKVE5.DTL&type=health |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 28, 2010 |accessdate=September 28, 2010 |first=Justin |last=Berton}}</ref><ref name="latimes7dead6missing">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion death toll climbs to seven; six are missing |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912,0,251794.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Hoeffel |first2=Molly |last2=Hennessy-Fiske |first3=Christopher |last3=Goffard| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100912125130/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912,0,251794.story| archivedate= September 12, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
| casualties1 = '''Fatalities:''' 8<ref name="8th_victim_of_PGE_blast_dies">{{Cite news |title=Eighth victim of PG&E blast dies |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/28/BAIQ1FKVE5.DTL&type=health |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 28, 2010 |accessdate=September 28, 2010 |first=Justin |last=Berton}}</ref><ref name="latimes7dead6missing">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion death toll climbs to seven; six are missing |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912,0,251794.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Hoeffel |first2=Molly |last2=Hennessy-Fiske |first3=Christopher |last3=Goffard |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912125130/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912%2C0%2C251794.story |archivedate=September 12, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| casualties2 = '''Injured:''' 58<ref name="APinjury">{{Cite news| first = Lisa | last = Leff |author2= Garrance Burke | title = San Bruno Explosion: Residents Wait To Move Back To Burned Neighborhood | date = September 11, 2010 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/11/san-bruno-explosion-resid_n_713330.html |work=Huffington Post | accessdate =September 12, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913065813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/11/san-bruno-explosion-resid_n_713330.html| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
| casualties2 = '''Injured:''' 58<ref name="APinjury">{{Cite news| first = Lisa | last = Leff |author2= Garrance Burke | title = San Bruno Explosion: Residents Wait To Move Back To Burned Neighborhood | date = September 11, 2010 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/11/san-bruno-explosion-resid_n_713330.html |work=Huffington Post | accessdate =September 12, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913065813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/11/san-bruno-explosion-resid_n_713330.html| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
| notes=
| notes=
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| newspaper= [[San Francisco Chronicle]]
| newspaper= [[San Francisco Chronicle]]
| date= September 9, 2010
| date= September 9, 2010
| accessdate=September 9, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100911222436/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/09/BADP1FBJRS.DTL&tsp=1| archivedate= September 11, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
| accessdate= September 9, 2010
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100911222436/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F09%2FBADP1FBJRS.DTL&tsp=1
| archivedate= September 11, 2010
| deadurl= no
| df= mdy-all
}}</ref>
The loud roar and shaking led some residents of the area, first responders, and news media to initially believe that it was an earthquake or that a large jetliner had crashed. It took crews nearly an hour to determine it was a gas pipeline explosion.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/first-calls-from-san-bruno-disaster-11636517 First Calls From San Bruno Disaster | Video – ABC News]. Abcnews.go.com (2010-09-14). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>
The loud roar and shaking led some residents of the area, first responders, and news media to initially believe that it was an earthquake or that a large jetliner had crashed. It took crews nearly an hour to determine it was a gas pipeline explosion.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/first-calls-from-san-bruno-disaster-11636517 First Calls From San Bruno Disaster | Video – ABC News]. Abcnews.go.com (2010-09-14). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>
As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight">{{Cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16196672 |author=Melvin, Joshua
As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight">{{Cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16196672 |author=Melvin, Joshua
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| publisher= ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| publisher= ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| date= September 9, 2010
| date= September 9, 2010
| accessdate=September 9, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913115449/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/strong-winds-fanning-huge-san-bruno-fire.html| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The blaze was fed by a ruptured gas pipe, and large clouds of smoke soared into the sky. It took 60 to 90 minutes to shut off the gas after the explosion, according to San Bruno Fire Chief Dennis Haag.<ref name="mercsearchends" /> The explosion and resulting fire leveled 35 houses and damaged many more. Three of the damaged houses, deemed uninhabitable, were torn down in December, bringing the total to 38. About 200 firefighters battled the [[Multiple-alarm fire|eight alarm fire]] that resulted from the explosions.<ref name="sf chron">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion: Some victims identified |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Wildermuth |first2=Kevin |last2=Fagan |first3=Marisa |last3=Lagos |first4=Jaxon |last4=Van Derbeken| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913045033/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="mercurynews">{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Mark |title=San Bruno explosion, fire neighborhood now a crime scene |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16041191?source=rss |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> The explosion excavated an asymmetric [[explosion crater|crater]] {{convert|167|ft|m}} long, {{convert|26|ft|m}} wide<ref name="mercremainsfound">{{Cite news |author1=Rodgers, Paul |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Gonzales, Neil |title=More remains found in San Bruno fire; PG&E checking major pipelines for flaws |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16051111?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 12, 2010}}</ref> and {{convert|40|ft|m}} deep along the sidewalk of Glenview Drive in front of 1701 Earl Avenue (a corner house), but many of the destroyed homes were eastward in the 1600 block of Claremont Drive.<ref name="mercsearchends">{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |title=Search for bodies in deadly San Bruno PG&E gas line explosion ends |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16045798?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com |accessdate=September 11, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref>
| accessdate=September 9, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913115449/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/strong-winds-fanning-huge-san-bruno-fire.html| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The blaze was fed by a ruptured gas pipe, and large clouds of smoke soared into the sky. It took 60 to 90 minutes to shut off the gas after the explosion, according to San Bruno Fire Chief Dennis Haag.<ref name="mercsearchends" /> The explosion and resulting fire leveled 35 houses and damaged many more. Three of the damaged houses, deemed uninhabitable, were torn down in December, bringing the total to 38. About 200 firefighters battled the [[Multiple-alarm fire|eight alarm fire]] that resulted from the explosions.<ref name="sf chron">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion: Some victims identified |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Wildermuth |first2=Kevin |last2=Fagan |first3=Marisa |last3=Lagos |first4=Jaxon |last4=Van Derbeken |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913045033/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F10%2FBAVQ1FBPMD.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="mercurynews">{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Mark |title=San Bruno explosion, fire neighborhood now a crime scene |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16041191?source=rss |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> The explosion excavated an asymmetric [[explosion crater|crater]] {{convert|167|ft|m}} long, {{convert|26|ft|m}} wide<ref name="mercremainsfound">{{Cite news |author1=Rodgers, Paul |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Gonzales, Neil |title=More remains found in San Bruno fire; PG&E checking major pipelines for flaws |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16051111?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 12, 2010}}</ref> and {{convert|40|ft|m}} deep along the sidewalk of Glenview Drive in front of 1701 Earl Avenue (a corner house), but many of the destroyed homes were eastward in the 1600 block of Claremont Drive.<ref name="mercsearchends">{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |title=Search for bodies in deadly San Bruno PG&E gas line explosion ends |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16045798?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com |accessdate=September 11, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref>


[[File:Crestmoor immolated, San Bruno gas explosion.ogv|Crestmoor immolated, San Bruno gas explosion|The neighborhood continued to burn into the night even after the exploding gas main had been shut off|thumb|right]]
[[File:Crestmoor immolated, San Bruno gas explosion.ogv|Crestmoor immolated, San Bruno gas explosion|The neighborhood continued to burn into the night even after the exploding gas main had been shut off|thumb|right]]
The fire continued to burn for several hours after the initial explosion. The explosion compromised a water main and required firefighters to truck in water from outside sources. Firefighters were assisted by residents who dragged fire hoses nearly {{convert|4000|ft|m}} to working hydrants.<ref>[http://www.kron.com/News/ArticleView/tabid/298/smid/1126/ArticleID/6882/reftab/401/t/First%20Responders%20Say%20They%20Thought%20San%20Bruno%20Gas%20Line%20Explosion%20was%20a%20Plane%20Crash/Default.aspx Governor Tours San Bruno Gas Line Explosion Site]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> Ordinary citizens drove injured people and burn victims to the hospital. Mutual aid responded from all over the Bay Area, including the [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] who sent 25 fire engines, four airtankers, two air attack planes, and one helicopter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://calfire.blogspot.com/2010/09/ca-czu-san-bruno-wui-fire-gas-line.html|title=CA-CZU-San Bruno – MCI – 6 dead, Gas line explosion, WUI Fire 10 acres, possibly 30 homes burning|date=September 9, 2010|work=California Fire News (blog)|accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref>
The fire continued to burn for several hours after the initial explosion. The explosion compromised a water main and required firefighters to truck in water from outside sources. Firefighters were assisted by residents who dragged fire hoses nearly {{convert|4000|ft|m}} to working hydrants.<ref>[http://www.kron.com/News/ArticleView/tabid/298/smid/1126/ArticleID/6882/reftab/401/t/First%20Responders%20Say%20They%20Thought%20San%20Bruno%20Gas%20Line%20Explosion%20was%20a%20Plane%20Crash/Default.aspx Governor Tours San Bruno Gas Line Explosion Site]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> Ordinary citizens drove injured people and burn victims to the hospital. Mutual aid responded from all over the Bay Area, including the [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] who sent 25 fire engines, four airtankers, two air attack planes, and one helicopter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://calfire.blogspot.com/2010/09/ca-czu-san-bruno-wui-fire-gas-line.html|title=CA-CZU-San Bruno – MCI – 6 dead, Gas line explosion, WUI Fire 10 acres, possibly 30 homes burning|date=September 9, 2010|work=California Fire News (blog)|accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref>
The fire was only fifty percent contained by 10&nbsp;pm PDT and continued to burn until about 11:40&nbsp;am PDT the next day.<ref name="californiafirescenemoonscape">{{Cite news |title=California fire scene: 'Like a moonscape' |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM:US |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913175929/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM:US| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="firefullycontained">{{Cite news |title=Deadly California fire fully contained |url=http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/ |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913010911/http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
The fire was only fifty percent contained by 10&nbsp;pm PDT and continued to burn until about 11:40&nbsp;am PDT the next day.<ref name="californiafirescenemoonscape">{{Cite news |title=California fire scene: 'Like a moonscape' |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM:US |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913175929/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM%3AUS |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="firefullycontained">{{Cite news |title=Deadly California fire fully contained |url=http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/ |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913010911/http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight"/> Among the eight deaths was 20-year-old Jessica Morales, who was with her boyfriend, Joseph Ruigomez, at the epicenter of the fire (his home) on the corner of Earl Ave. Despite his proximity to the epicenter of the fire, Mr. Ruigomez survived but spent nearly five months recovering in the St. Francis Hospital Burn Center. Two other people at the Claremont address close to the explosion were among those killed: Jacqueline Greig, 44, and her daughter Janessa Greig, 13. Greig worked for the [[California Public Utilities Commission]], in a small unit that advocates for consumer rights pertaining to natural gas regulations. She had spent part of the summer evaluating PG&E's expansion plans and investment proposals to replace out-of-date pipelines.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/11/apnewsbreak-calif-federal-regulators-say-gas-pipeline-deadly-blast-ranked-high | work=Fox News | title=Federal regulators say California gas pipeline in deadly blast was ranked high risk | date=September 11, 2010| accessdate=September 16, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kqed.org/a/kqednews/R201009151204/b Riskiest Gas Lines in the Bay Area Are in the East Bay: KQED News | KQED Public Media for Northern CA]. Kqed.org (2010-09-15). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref> Also killed in the blast were Lavonne Bullis, 82, Greg Bullis, 50, and Will Bullis, 17.<ref>Preuitt, Lori. (2010-09-12) [http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Returning-Home-in-San-Bruno-102726149.html Returning Home in San Bruno]. NBC Bay Area. Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>
As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight"/> Among the eight deaths was 20-year-old Jessica Morales, who was with her boyfriend, Joseph Ruigomez, at the epicenter of the fire (his home) on the corner of Earl Ave. Despite his proximity to the epicenter of the fire, Mr. Ruigomez survived but spent nearly five months recovering in the St. Francis Hospital Burn Center. Two other people at the Claremont address close to the explosion were among those killed: Jacqueline Greig, 44, and her daughter Janessa Greig, 13. Greig worked for the [[California Public Utilities Commission]], in a small unit that advocates for consumer rights pertaining to natural gas regulations. She had spent part of the summer evaluating PG&E's expansion plans and investment proposals to replace out-of-date pipelines.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/11/apnewsbreak-calif-federal-regulators-say-gas-pipeline-deadly-blast-ranked-high | work=Fox News | title=Federal regulators say California gas pipeline in deadly blast was ranked high risk | date=September 11, 2010| accessdate=September 16, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kqed.org/a/kqednews/R201009151204/b Riskiest Gas Lines in the Bay Area Are in the East Bay: KQED News | KQED Public Media for Northern CA]. Kqed.org (2010-09-15). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref> Also killed in the blast were Lavonne Bullis, 82, Greg Bullis, 50, and Will Bullis, 17.<ref>Preuitt, Lori. (2010-09-12) [http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Returning-Home-in-San-Bruno-102726149.html Returning Home in San Bruno]. NBC Bay Area. Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>
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===San Bruno===
===San Bruno===
A [[Red Cross]] shelter was set up at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in San Bruno,<ref name="shelter">[http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html Red Cross Opens San Bruno Fire Shelter, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032042/http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> and the [[Blood Centers of the Pacific]] issued an emergency appeal for blood donations.<ref name="blood">[http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html Blood Donations Needed Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032030/http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 22:22 UTC−07.</ref> Some people were evacuated to [[The Shops at Tanforan|Tanforan]] and Bayhill Shopping Centers.<ref name="washingtonexaminer909">{{Cite news |author1=Worth, Katie |author2=Koskey, Andrea |title=Deadly fire rips San Bruno neighborhood |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/breaking/Large-explosion-flames-in-San-Bruno-102590834.html |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=September 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mercpoliticansrace">{{Cite news |title=The Insider: Politicians race to San Bruno |url=
A [[Red Cross]] shelter was set up at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in San Bruno,<ref name="shelter">[http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html Red Cross Opens San Bruno Fire Shelter, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032042/http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> and the [[Blood Centers of the Pacific]] issued an emergency appeal for blood donations.<ref name="blood">[http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html Blood Donations Needed Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032030/http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 22:22 UTC−07.</ref> Some people were evacuated to [[The Shops at Tanforan|Tanforan]] and Bayhill Shopping Centers.<ref name="washingtonexaminer909">{{Cite news |author1=Worth, Katie |author2=Koskey, Andrea |title=Deadly fire rips San Bruno neighborhood |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/breaking/Large-explosion-flames-in-San-Bruno-102590834.html |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=September 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mercpoliticansrace">{{Cite news |title=The Insider: Politicians race to San Bruno |url=
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16045919 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref> All elementary schools in the [[San Bruno Park Elementary School District]], as well as Parkside Junior High, were closed on September 10. However, [[Capuchino High School]] remained open.<ref name="school">[http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html School, Road Closures Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913041058/http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> Some residents who were evacuated from their homes were allowed to return to those undamaged on Sunday, September 12.<ref name="sanbrunoallowedtoreturn">{{Cite news |author1=Wildermuth, John |author2=Bulwa, Demian |title=Some displace San Bruno residents will return home today |url=
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16045919 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref> All elementary schools in the [[San Bruno Park Elementary School District]], as well as Parkside Junior High, were closed on September 10. However, [[Capuchino High School]] remained open.<ref name="school">[http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html School, Road Closures Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913041058/http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> Some residents who were evacuated from their homes were allowed to return to those undamaged on Sunday, September 12.<ref name="sanbrunoallowedtoreturn">{{Cite news |author1=Wildermuth, John |author2=Bulwa, Demian |title=Some displace San Bruno residents will return home today |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/BAEP1FCNS9.DTL |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 12, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913151037/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F12%2FBAEP1FCNS9.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/BAEP1FCNS9.DTL |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 12, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913151037/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/BAEP1FCNS9.DTL| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


===Pacific Gas and Electric Company===
===Pacific Gas and Electric Company===
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PG&E also reduced their operating pressures by 20 percent after investigations revealed the pipeline may have been improperly installed.<ref name="latimes-dearan">{{cite news |title=Report by federal investigators on California pipeline blast finds defects in welds |author=Jason Dearen |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-pipeline-explosion,0,5975881.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2011}}</ref>
PG&E also reduced their operating pressures by 20 percent after investigations revealed the pipeline may have been improperly installed.<ref name="latimes-dearan">{{cite news |title=Report by federal investigators on California pipeline blast finds defects in welds |author=Jason Dearen |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-pipeline-explosion,0,5975881.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2011}}</ref>


After the San Bruno pipeline failure, PG&E was required to re-evaluate how it determines the maximum operating pressure for some 1,800 miles of pipeline throughout its system. Specifically, the California Public Utilities Commission asked PG&E officials to show their lines had been tested or examined in a way that could prove the pipeline can withstand the current maximum operating pressure. At the March 15, 2011 deadline for this report, PG&E was unable to provide documentation for details of some of its gas transmission pipelines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/pge-threatened-fines-1-million-pipeline-data|title=PG&E threatened with fines of $1 million for pipeline data|author=Katie Worth|newspaper=The Examiner|date=March 16, 2011|accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref>
After the San Bruno pipeline failure, PG&E was required to re-evaluate how it determines the maximum operating pressure for some 1,800 miles of pipeline throughout its system. Specifically, the California Public Utilities Commission asked PG&E officials to show their lines had been tested or examined in a way that could prove the pipeline can withstand the current maximum operating pressure. At the March 15, 2011 deadline for this report, PG&E was unable to provide documentation for details of some of its gas transmission pipelines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/pge-threatened-fines-1-million-pipeline-data|title=PG&E threatened with fines of $1 million for pipeline data|author=Katie Worth|newspaper=The Examiner|date=March 16, 2011|accessdate=November 7, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515150525/http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/pge-threatened-fines-1-million-pipeline-data|archivedate=May 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In response to the disaster and a subsequent decision (D.11-06-017) by the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E unveiled a plan in August 2011 to modernize and enhance safety of its gas transmission operations over several years, including automation of over 200 valves, strength-testing over {{Convert|700|mi}} of pipe, replacing {{Convert|185|mi}}, and upgrading another {{Convert|200|mi}} or so to allow in-line inspection.<ref name=milestoneplan>{{cite web|url=http://www.pgecurrents.com/2011/08/26/pge-files-milestone-plan-to-modernize-improve-safety-of-gas-pipeline-system/|title=PG&E Files Milestone Plan to Modernize, Improve Safety of Gas Pipeline System|publisher=PG&E|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> The plan was divided into two phases. The first phase, scheduled to end in 2014, targeted pipeline segments in urban areas, those not built to modern standards, and those that had not been strength-tested. Project funding of $769 million was the subject of a PG&E application (R.11-02-019) for a three-year increase in gas rates starting January 2012.<ref name=filingnotice>"Notification of filing of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan", brochure dated September 2011</ref>
In response to the disaster and a subsequent decision (D.11-06-017) by the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E unveiled a plan in August 2011 to modernize and enhance safety of its gas transmission operations over several years, including automation of over 200 valves, strength-testing over {{Convert|700|mi}} of pipe, replacing {{Convert|185|mi}}, and upgrading another {{Convert|200|mi}} or so to allow in-line inspection.<ref name=milestoneplan>{{cite web|url=http://www.pgecurrents.com/2011/08/26/pge-files-milestone-plan-to-modernize-improve-safety-of-gas-pipeline-system/|title=PG&E Files Milestone Plan to Modernize, Improve Safety of Gas Pipeline System|publisher=PG&E|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> The plan was divided into two phases. The first phase, scheduled to end in 2014, targeted pipeline segments in urban areas, those not built to modern standards, and those that had not been strength-tested. Project funding of $769 million was the subject of a PG&E application (R.11-02-019) for a three-year increase in gas rates starting January 2012.<ref name=filingnotice>"Notification of filing of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan", brochure dated September 2011</ref>
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===California state government===
===California state government===
Lieutenant Governor [[Abel Maldonado]] made a state of emergency declaration and signed an executive order to provide aid to victims.<ref name="mercurynews"/>
Lieutenant Governor [[Abel Maldonado]] made a state of emergency declaration and signed an executive order to provide aid to victims.<ref name="mercurynews"/>
State regulators ordered PG&E to survey all natural gas lines the company controls in California.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Residents return home after Calif pipeline blowout |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/09/national/a184753D77.DTL |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 12, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913153428/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/09/national/a184753D77.DTL| archivedate= September 13, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}} </ref> Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] later went through the area, after returning from a trade mission in Asia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/13/national/a153359D19.DTL |title=
State regulators ordered PG&E to survey all natural gas lines the company controls in California.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Residents return home after Calif pipeline blowout |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/09/national/a184753D77.DTL |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913153428/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F09%2Fnational%2Fa184753D77.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }} </ref> Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] later went through the area, after returning from a trade mission in Asia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/13/national/a153359D19.DTL |title=Schwarzenegger tours Calif. gas line blast site |date=September 15, 2010 |accessdate=September 15, 2010 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916193656/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F13%2Fnational%2Fa153359D19.DTL |archivedate=September 16, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }} </ref>
Schwarzenegger tours Calif. gas line blast site |date=September 15, 2010 |accessdate=September 15, 2010 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100916193656/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/13/national/a153359D19.DTL| archivedate= September 16, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}} </ref>


===Federal government===
===Federal government===
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==Investigation==
==Investigation==
San Bruno Police declared the area a crime scene to determine if foul play was involved.<ref name="mercurynews"/> The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] began an investigation into the cause of the explosion.<ref name="SF Chronicle">{{Cite news |last= Lowy
San Bruno Police declared the area a crime scene to determine if foul play was involved.<ref name="mercurynews"/> The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] began an investigation into the cause of the explosion.<ref name="SF Chronicle">{{Cite news |last= Lowy
|first= Joan |title=NTSB to investigate explosion, fire in Calif. |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/10/national/w054841D33.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> During the days prior to the explosion, some residents reported smelling natural gas in the area.<ref name="New York Times">{{Cite news |title=Inquiry Sifting Cause of Blast in the Bay Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/us/11fire.html?src=me |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=Adam |last1=Nagourney |first2=Malia |last2=Wollan<!--DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref name="ABC7 News">{{Cite news |title=Natural gas explosion rocks San Bruno; 4 dead |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7660103 |publisher=[[KGO-TV|ABC7]] News |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100911063743/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7660103| archivedate= September 11, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> A source within PG&E reported a break in natural gas line number 132 caused the explosion. The gas line is a large {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} steel pipe.<ref name="Kevin Fagan" /><ref name="hillside inferno">{{Cite news
|first= Joan |title=NTSB to investigate explosion, fire in Calif. |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/10/national/w054841D33.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> During the days prior to the explosion, some residents reported smelling natural gas in the area.<ref name="New York Times">{{Cite news |title=Inquiry Sifting Cause of Blast in the Bay Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/us/11fire.html?src=me |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=Adam |last1=Nagourney |first2=Malia |last2=Wollan<!--DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref name="ABC7 News">{{Cite news |title=Natural gas explosion rocks San Bruno; 4 dead |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7660103 |publisher=[[KGO-TV|ABC7]] News |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911063743/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Fpeninsula&id=7660103 |archivedate=September 11, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> A source within PG&E reported a break in natural gas line number 132 caused the explosion. The gas line is a large {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} steel pipe.<ref name="Kevin Fagan" /><ref name="hillside inferno">{{Cite news
| url= http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_16036178
| url= http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_16036178
|author1=Gonzales, Sandra |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Dungan, Jesse |author4=Samuels, Diana | title= Gas line explosion sparks hillside inferno in San Bruno
|author1=Gonzales, Sandra |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Dungan, Jesse |author4=Samuels, Diana | title= Gas line explosion sparks hillside inferno in San Bruno
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==Media coverage==
==Media coverage==
[[Brigham McCown]], the former head for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, called for the creation of a national commission to examine the problems surrounding high-pressure fuel pipelines that have been built in residential areas. In his article with [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704190704575490151786040796 The Wall Street Journal], McCown says it often takes an "incident like this one to force change." He also suggested installing a "no man's land" around some pipelines in hopes of preventing another disaster. [https://www.baycitizen.org/san-bruno-explosion/story/experts-weigh-possible-causes/comments/#comments The Bay Citizen] and [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295522-6,html C-SPAN] also included interviews with McCown about pipeline excavation and company liability.
[[Brigham McCown]], the former head for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, called for the creation of a national commission to examine the problems surrounding high-pressure fuel pipelines that have been built in residential areas. In his article with [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704190704575490151786040796 The Wall Street Journal], McCown says it often takes an "incident like this one to force change." He also suggested installing a "no man's land" around some pipelines in hopes of preventing another disaster. [https://www.baycitizen.org/san-bruno-explosion/story/experts-weigh-possible-causes/comments/#comments The Bay Citizen] and [https://archive.is/20130414112128/http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295522-6,html C-SPAN] also included interviews with McCown about pipeline excavation and company liability.


On September 9, 2012, a memorial to the victims was unveiled in the San Bruno City Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc7news.com/archive/8803866 |title=Memorial plaque unveiled for two year anniversary of San Bruno pipeline explosion and fire |publisher=abc7news.com |date=2012-09-09 |accessdate=2016-01-18}}</ref>
On September 9, 2012, a memorial to the victims was unveiled in the San Bruno City Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc7news.com/archive/8803866 |title=Memorial plaque unveiled for two year anniversary of San Bruno pipeline explosion and fire |publisher=abc7news.com |date=2012-09-09 |accessdate=2016-01-18}}</ref>
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{{Commons category|2010 San Bruno explosion and fire}}
{{Commons category|2010 San Bruno explosion and fire}}
* [http://www.aolnews.com/2010/09/13/san-bruno-explosion-before-and-after-views-via-google-earth-pho/ Before and after comparison photos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130331013451/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/09/13/san-bruno-explosion-before-and-after-views-via-google-earth-pho/ Before and after comparison photos]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL&o= Photo gallery] Photos of the disaster from ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''.
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL&o= Photo gallery] Photos of the disaster from ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''.
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-bruno-fire-explosion,0,4829434.htmlstory San Bruno explosion map] Interactive map from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-bruno-fire-explosion,0,4829434.htmlstory San Bruno explosion map] Interactive map from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.
* [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7659899 Resources for San Bruno Residents (ABC7)]
* [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7659899 Resources for San Bruno Residents (ABC7)]
* [http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2010/0911/20100911_120051_sbfire5.jpg Aerial photograph of the aftermath] – Taken on 9/11/2010
* [http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2010/0911/20100911_120051_sbfire5.jpg Aerial photograph of the aftermath] – Taken on 9/11/2010
* [http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/san-bruno-california-explosion-before-and-after-views-via-google-earth-photos/19632228 Before and after comparison photos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100916182125/http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/san-bruno-california-explosion-before-and-after-views-via-google-earth-photos/19632228 Before and after comparison photos]
* [http://www.mercurynews.com/san-bruno-fire Photo gallery and links to stories and information]
* [http://www.mercurynews.com/san-bruno-fire Photo gallery and links to stories and information]
* [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7668355 Commercial pilots in the air realized it was not a plane crash] – Video
* [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7668355 Commercial pilots in the air realized it was not a plane crash] – Video

Revision as of 16:43, 4 September 2017

San Bruno pipeline explosion
Remains of a portion of the natural gas pipeline after the explosion.
DateThursday, September 9, 2010 (2010-09-09)
Time18:11 UTC-7
LocationSan Bruno, California
United States
Coordinates37°37′21″N 122°26′31″W / 37.622524°N 122.441903°W / 37.622524; -122.441903
Casualties
Fatalities: 8[1][2]
Injured: 58[3]

The San Bruno pipeline explosion occurred at 6:11 pm PDT on September 9, 2010, in San Bruno, California, a suburb of San Francisco, when a 30-inch (76 cm) diameter steel natural gas pipeline owned by Pacific Gas & Electric exploded into flames in the Crestmoor residential neighborhood 2 mi (3.2 km) west of San Francisco International Airport[4] near Skyline Boulevard and San Bruno Avenue.[5] The loud roar and shaking led some residents of the area, first responders, and news media to initially believe that it was an earthquake or that a large jetliner had crashed. It took crews nearly an hour to determine it was a gas pipeline explosion.[6] As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.[7] The United States Geological Survey registered the explosion and resulting shock wave as a magnitude 1.1 earthquake.[8][9] Eyewitnesses reported the initial blast "had a wall of fire more than 1,000 feet high".[10]

Explosion and fire

At 6:11:12 pm PDT on September 9, 2010, a huge explosion occurred in the Crestmoor residential neighborhood of San Bruno, near Skyline Boulevard and San Bruno Avenue.[8] This caused a fire, which quickly engulfed nearby houses. Emergency responders from San Bruno and nearby cities soon arrived at the scene and evacuated surrounding neighborhoods. Strong winds fanned the flames, hampering fire fighting efforts.[11] The blaze was fed by a ruptured gas pipe, and large clouds of smoke soared into the sky. It took 60 to 90 minutes to shut off the gas after the explosion, according to San Bruno Fire Chief Dennis Haag.[12] The explosion and resulting fire leveled 35 houses and damaged many more. Three of the damaged houses, deemed uninhabitable, were torn down in December, bringing the total to 38. About 200 firefighters battled the eight alarm fire that resulted from the explosions.[13][14] The explosion excavated an asymmetric crater 167 feet (51 m) long, 26 feet (7.9 m) wide[15] and 40 feet (12 m) deep along the sidewalk of Glenview Drive in front of 1701 Earl Avenue (a corner house), but many of the destroyed homes were eastward in the 1600 block of Claremont Drive.[12]

The neighborhood continued to burn into the night even after the exploding gas main had been shut off

The fire continued to burn for several hours after the initial explosion. The explosion compromised a water main and required firefighters to truck in water from outside sources. Firefighters were assisted by residents who dragged fire hoses nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) to working hydrants.[16] Ordinary citizens drove injured people and burn victims to the hospital. Mutual aid responded from all over the Bay Area, including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection who sent 25 fire engines, four airtankers, two air attack planes, and one helicopter.[17] The fire was only fifty percent contained by 10 pm PDT and continued to burn until about 11:40 am PDT the next day.[18][19]

As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.[7] Among the eight deaths was 20-year-old Jessica Morales, who was with her boyfriend, Joseph Ruigomez, at the epicenter of the fire (his home) on the corner of Earl Ave. Despite his proximity to the epicenter of the fire, Mr. Ruigomez survived but spent nearly five months recovering in the St. Francis Hospital Burn Center. Two other people at the Claremont address close to the explosion were among those killed: Jacqueline Greig, 44, and her daughter Janessa Greig, 13. Greig worked for the California Public Utilities Commission, in a small unit that advocates for consumer rights pertaining to natural gas regulations. She had spent part of the summer evaluating PG&E's expansion plans and investment proposals to replace out-of-date pipelines.[20][21] Also killed in the blast were Lavonne Bullis, 82, Greg Bullis, 50, and Will Bullis, 17.[22]

Response

San Bruno

A Red Cross shelter was set up at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in San Bruno,[23] and the Blood Centers of the Pacific issued an emergency appeal for blood donations.[24] Some people were evacuated to Tanforan and Bayhill Shopping Centers.[25][26] All elementary schools in the San Bruno Park Elementary School District, as well as Parkside Junior High, were closed on September 10. However, Capuchino High School remained open.[27] Some residents who were evacuated from their homes were allowed to return to those undamaged on Sunday, September 12.[28]

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is the owner of the pipeline. On September 10, 2010, PG&E's president, Christopher Johns, said the company was not able to approach the source of the explosion to investigate the cause.[29] An official press release issued by PG&E on September 10 reported the pipe was a 30-inch (76 cm) steel transmission line.[30] Shares of PG&E stock fell eight percent on the Friday after the explosion,[31] reducing the company's market capitalization by $1.57 billion.[31]

PG&E also reduced their operating pressures by 20 percent after investigations revealed the pipeline may have been improperly installed.[32]

After the San Bruno pipeline failure, PG&E was required to re-evaluate how it determines the maximum operating pressure for some 1,800 miles of pipeline throughout its system. Specifically, the California Public Utilities Commission asked PG&E officials to show their lines had been tested or examined in a way that could prove the pipeline can withstand the current maximum operating pressure. At the March 15, 2011 deadline for this report, PG&E was unable to provide documentation for details of some of its gas transmission pipelines.[33]

In response to the disaster and a subsequent decision (D.11-06-017) by the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E unveiled a plan in August 2011 to modernize and enhance safety of its gas transmission operations over several years, including automation of over 200 valves, strength-testing over 700 miles (1,100 km) of pipe, replacing 185 miles (298 km), and upgrading another 200 miles (320 km) or so to allow in-line inspection.[34] The plan was divided into two phases. The first phase, scheduled to end in 2014, targeted pipeline segments in urban areas, those not built to modern standards, and those that had not been strength-tested. Project funding of $769 million was the subject of a PG&E application (R.11-02-019) for a three-year increase in gas rates starting January 2012.[35]

On November 6, 2011, an explosion occurred near Woodside, California during strength testing of PG&E pipelines. The explosion caused a mudslide in the area; however, no casualties were reported.[36]

California state government

Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado made a state of emergency declaration and signed an executive order to provide aid to victims.[14] State regulators ordered PG&E to survey all natural gas lines the company controls in California.[37] Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger later went through the area, after returning from a trade mission in Asia.[38]

Federal government

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier called the devastation "a very serious crisis" and was asking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare it a national disaster area.[14]

Use of technology

The San Bruno explosion was notable for the fact that local technology companies such as Cisco Systems and Google dispatched their emergency response teams to provide emergency communications and enhanced mapping information at the request of responders at the scene. Coordinated through the nonprofit InSTEDD (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases, and Disasters), with support from the Carnegie-Mellon University Disaster Management Initiative, a number of unaffiliated technology volunteers were requested to support many of the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) response efforts, coordinated through the Planning Section Chief.[39]

Investigation

San Bruno Police declared the area a crime scene to determine if foul play was involved.[14] The National Transportation Safety Board began an investigation into the cause of the explosion.[40] During the days prior to the explosion, some residents reported smelling natural gas in the area.[29][41] A source within PG&E reported a break in natural gas line number 132 caused the explosion. The gas line is a large 30-inch (76 cm) steel pipe.[5][42][43] National Transportation Safety Board vice chairman Christopher Hart said at a briefing that the segment of pipe that blew out onto the street was 28 feet (8.5 m) long, the explosion sent that piece of pipe about 100 feet (30 m) and the blast created a crater 167 feet (51 m) long and 26 feet (7.9 m) wide, though the NTSB Pipeline Accident Report would later size the crater to be 72 feet (22 m) long and 26 feet (7.9 m) wide. He said that an inspection of the severed pipe chunk revealed that it was made of several smaller sections that had been welded together and that a seam ran its length. The presence of the welds did not necessarily indicate the pipe had been repaired, he said.[3] Newer pipelines are usually manufactured into the shape needed for these applications, rather than having multiple weaker welded sections that could potentially leak or break.[44]

In January 2011, federal investigators reported that they found numerous defective welds in the pipeline. The thickness of the pipe varied, and some welds did not penetrate the pipes completely. As PG&E increased the pressure in the pipes to meet growing energy demand, the defective welds were further weakened until their failure. As the pipeline was installed in 1956, modern testing methods such as X-rays were not available to detect the problem at that time.[32]

The NTSB held a 3-day public hearing on March 1 through 3, 2011, to gather additional facts for the ongoing investigation of the pipeline rupture and explosion.[45]

Parties to the public hearing included:

The NTSB also published call logs from the Milpitas PG&E gas terminal to a gas control center. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) replacement was started at the Milpitas terminal several hours before the San Bruno explosion.[46]

It was revealed that PG&E had done pipeline replacement work on Line 132 along parts of the San Andreas Fault zone, near this area, to reduce the likelihood of the pipeline failing from an earthquake. However, the replacement was stopped short of the area that failed in 2010.[47]

On January 13, 2012, an independent audit from the State of California issued a report stating that PG&E had illegally diverted over $100 million from a fund used for safety operations, and instead used it for executive compensation and bonuses.[48]

Litigation

Private Party

Through more than 20 law firms, over 100 plaintiffs have sued Pacific Gas and Electric and/or its parent, PG&E Corporation, in the Superior Courts of California in over 70 separate lawsuits. Virtually all were filed in the local state court, the Superior Court of California for the County of San Mateo. On February 24, 2011, the court's presiding judge, Mark Forcum, approved a petition for "coordination" of the San Bruno cases as authorized by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 404. After Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye approved the petition in her capacity as chair of the state Judicial Council, all the cases were transferred to Judge Steven L. Dylina on March 4, 2011, and designated as Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding (JCCP) No. 4648, PG&E "San Bruno Fire" Cases.

As is typical in complex mass tort litigation, the court designated "liaison counsel" for the plaintiffs at an initial case management conference on May 26, 2011. On June 3, 2011, through such counsel, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated Master Complaint. Individual plaintiffs then filed "adoptions" of the allegations in the Master Complaint over the next three weeks. Plaintiffs' liaison counsel are Frank M. Pitre of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP and Dario de Ghetaldi and Amanda L. Riddle, both of Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi, Nastari & Riddle LLP.

On July 5, 2011, PG&E and PG&E Corp. filed their Answer to the Master Complaint, through their defense counsel, Kate Dyer of Clarence, Dyer & Cohen LLP, John J. Lyons of Latham & Watkins LLP, and Gayle L. Gough of Sedgwick LLP. A week later, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a front-page story attacking the defendants for invoking certain routine defenses in their answer, like state-of-the-art and comparative negligence.[49]

In July 2012, the plaintiffs lodged a deposition in San Mateo County Superior Court claiming that PG&E management ignored employee concerns about GIS data inaccuracies that impeded inspection of the pipeline.[50]

State of California

In October 2012, public hearings on the San Bruno pipeline blast at the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) were suspended for state regulators and PG&E to strike a deal about the fines. Rene Morales, mother of Jessica Morales who was burned alive and one of eight people that was killed in the fire requested that California Governor Jerry Brown appoint a new president of the California PUC.[51] Also in October 2012, former Senator George J. Mitchell was chosen to lead talks in the settlement of fines in the explosion.[52] In December 2012 the California Public Utilities Commission decided that 55% of the long term costs for PG&E pipeline inspection and safety upgrades of $229 million will be borne by electricity rate payers.[53]

On September 2, 2014, California regulators proposed a $1.4 billion penalty against Pacific Gas & Electric for the explosion.[54]

On September 16, 2014, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Carol Brown, the chief of staff for the president of the California Public Utilities Commission, had communicated with PG&E executives to help move litigation to judges they expected would be friendly to PG&E's side.[55] As of October 2014 the judge shopping scandal is under federal investigation.[56]

On April 9, 2015, the Public Utilities Commission fined PG&E $1.6 billion.[57]

Federal

On April 1, 2014, PG&E was indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court, San Francisco, for multiple violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 relating to its record keeping and pipeline "integrity management" practices.[58] An additional indictment was issued by the grand jury on July 29, 2014, charging the company with obstruction of justice for lying to the NTSB regarding its pipeline testing policy, bringing the total number of counts in the indictment to 28.[59] Under the new indictment, the company could be fined as much as $1.3 billion, based on profit associated with the alleged misconduct, in addition to $2.5 billion for state regulatory violations.[59]

On January 21, 2017, PG&E was fined $3 million and ordered to perform 10,000 hours of community service for criminal actions of violating the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act and for obstruction of justice. In addition, it must institute a compliance and ethics monitoring program and spend up to $3 million to "publicize its criminal conduct". These actions were imposed after the company was found guilty by a federal jury in August, 2016 of six of the twelve charges against the company in US District Court.[60]

Media coverage

Brigham McCown, the former head for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, called for the creation of a national commission to examine the problems surrounding high-pressure fuel pipelines that have been built in residential areas. In his article with The Wall Street Journal, McCown says it often takes an "incident like this one to force change." He also suggested installing a "no man's land" around some pipelines in hopes of preventing another disaster. The Bay Citizen and C-SPAN also included interviews with McCown about pipeline excavation and company liability.

On September 9, 2012, a memorial to the victims was unveiled in the San Bruno City Park.[61]

See also

References

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